Combination coupler and hanger structure for screw conveyers



April 7, 1942-` J. l..v KozAK ErAL 2,279,201-

' `COMBINATION COUPLER AND HANGER STRUCTURE FOR SCREW CONVEYERS FiledSepll.. 25, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS I Pl'l 7, 1942 J. L. KozAKErm. 2,279,201

COMBINATION COUPLER AND HANGER STRUCTURE FOR SCREW CONVEYERS Filed sept.'25, 194e 4 sheets-sheet 2 April 7, 1942- J. L. KozAK ErALY- COMBINATIONCUPLER AND HANGER STRUCTURE FR SGREW CONVEYERS 4 sheets-shet 5 FiledSept. 25, 15340 l A'rroRNEY April 7, 1942.

COMBINATION COUPLER AND HANGER STRUCTURE FOR SGREW-GONVEYERS 4Sheets-Sheet 4 llllll I.

INVENTORS L. Kaza/r lPatented pr. 7, 1942l COMBINATION 1`COUPLER AND YHANGER u STRUCTURE FOR SCREW CONVEYERS y Joseph L. Kozak, Munster, Ind.,and Clarence F.

Abraham, Chicago, lll., asslgnors to Screw Conveyor Corporation,Hammond, Ind., a corporation of Illinois Application September 25, 1940,Serial No; 358,228

17 Claims. (Cl'. 198-213) The present invention relates to conveyerapparatus of the screwy or spiral conveyer type, and

particularly to apparatus of this character which is made up in -lengthsrequiring a plurality of coupling means between the housing or casinglsections are located.

For carrying out this purpose of our invention we have devised acombination form of coupling struction;

and hanger unit to afford the necessary coupling means between adjoiningsections of the housing or casing of the conveyer apparatus, and-alsoincorporate therewith a hanger structure for providing suitable bearingmeans for the coupling between corresponding sections of the conveyermechanism-all with a view to enabling sections of the casing or housingto be repaired or replaced without disturbing the conveyer mecha` nismor its bearings, and furthermore to enable sections of the conveyermechanism also to be similarly repaired or replaced without undue disofcasings or housings forming the conveyer 4 troughsuch as cylindrical,U:- or V-shaped,

Square, rectangular, aring, or other forms, and including eitherintegral or sectional casing or housing units, as will be fullyexplainedin the following.

Having these general objects in view, the ina. lvention will accordinglybe described by reference to the accompanying drawings, illustratingsuitable forms of apparatus designed to embody the proposedimprovements, after which those features and combinations which aredeemed to g.-

be both novel and patentable will be particularly set forth and claimed.

In the drawings- 1 lFigure 1 is an elevation illustrating a conveyerapparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention andcomprising horizontally split conveyer trough or casing units orsections;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view on a larger scale andillustrating a section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an elevation representing'a sectio taken on the line 3-3 ofFigure 2;

Figure 4 is a similar view representing a section taken on the line 4 4of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a side elevation of one of the combination hanger andcoupling units of the con- Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view,representing a. section taken on the line 6--6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the hanger andcoupling assembly and bearing parts;

Figure 8 is a similar view showing the lower portion of said assembly;

Figure 9 is a sectional detail of the joint between conveyer troughsections and represents a section taken on the line 9-9 of Figurell-buton a larger scale.

Figure 10 is an elevation showing a modified form of construction-beinga section taken on the line lll-moi Figure 11; l

Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view, representing a section taken onthe line III--II of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is an elevation similar to Figure 10 but showing anothermodied form of construction;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary side view of the same, with the hangerstructure shown in vertical section:

Figure 14 is an elevation similar to Figure 10 but illustrating anothermodification;

Figure 15 is a fragmentary side view of the same but partly in sectionalong the line |5-I5 of Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a fragmentary elevation showing another modification; i

Figure 17 is a transverse sectional view of the same;

Figure 18 is a fragmentary elevation showing still another modification;

Figure 19 is a transverse sectional view of the same taken on the linelil-l 9 of Figure 18;

inforcement produced by the connecting means;

Figure 20 is a fragmentary elevation of a further modification:

Figure 21 is ln transverse sectional view of the same, being a sectiontaken on the line 2i--2i of Figure Figure 22 is a sectional detail view,representing a sectiontaken on the line 22-22 ofFigure il, but on alarger scale;

Figure 23 is an elevation (similar to Figure 1) illustrating conveyerapparatus comprising unitary cylindrical casing or trough; sections andmaking use of a further modified vform oirhanger and coupling unitsbetween the different sections or trough units of the apparatus;

Figure 24 is a transverse sectional view, representing a section takenon the line 24--24 of Figure 23, but on a larger scale Figure 25 is anelevation representing a section taken on the line 25-25 of Figure 24;

Figure 26 is a view similar to Figure 25, but showing a modifiedposition of the hanger structure proper;

Figure 2 '7 is an` elevation similar to Figure 24 Vil and where thetrough is' ofthe closed type. such practice is also objectionable onaccount of ren- 1 dering it more difcult to make ready or efllcientinspection and' repair operations.

"Where, as in the present improved construc y the apparatus so as tolocate the joints between the trough sections and the conveyer secionslat corresponding points along the apparatus, the

result of such adesignis to combine the coupling and hanger or bearingparts into unitary' as semblies or units adapted not only to promote thehighest eiciency as regards the coupling, bearing and alining functionswith respect to thefsuccessive sections of both the trough and yconveyer parts of the apparatus, but also to probut illustrating a stillfurther modiiied form of hanger and coupling unit and representing a'section taken on the line 21-21 of Figure 28;

Figure 28 is a vertical sectional view, illustrat- Figure 29 is anelevation (similar toFigure 1) illustrating aconveyer apparatuscomprising U- shaped trough sections and utilizing corresponding asection taken on the line 28--28ofFigure ingly modified forms ofhanger'and coupling units between the trough units or sections of thecon- -veyer;`

Figure 30 is a transverse sectional view, on a larger scale andrepresenting a section taken on the line 30-30 of Figure'29;

Figure 31 is a sectional elevation, represent' Figure 32 is a perspetiveview 'shn'zvingl the Figure 33 is a sectional elevation-similarftoFigure 31 but illustrating afmodifled f orm ofthe hanger and couplingconstruction;

hanger structurefrepresented in Figures l30 and Figure 34 is anvelevation,v of the'hanger and coupling unit shown in Figure 33; and-`Figure 35 is ane'nlarged detail sectional view of theV `joint structurebetween the trough and cover shown in Figure 30, v-

Conveyer apparatus of the'type herein'involved is commonly `of suchl alength as to requirethe same to be made up inf several longitudinal secitions, having. couplings between 'the' conveyer conveyer sectionsrequire vbearing or hanger as 'semblies inside the trough or housingandthe vide maximum benetsfor advantages as re gards greater operatingemciency of the entire apparatus as well as the l carrying out of tliemaintenance operations of'inspection and repair v'of 'the apparatus, asoften as maybe necessary.

The improved constructionbeing particularly we'l adapted to closed typesof conveyer apparatus, the invention is accordingly described andlustrated as appliedto such types-although it is to be understood thatour invention is not limited, to such specic applications.

y Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail; and moreparticularly in the rst instance to Figures l to 8,- the improved hangerand coupling'construction is illustrated as part of a spiral conveyerapparatus utilizing a round or cylindrical trough or casing' for vtheilow or movement of the material as it is impelled by the spiral orscrew conveyer mechanism'. .Y Figure 1 shows said apparatus in acomplete assembly madeup of three sections or matched unitsjoinedtogether by the present improved hanger and couplingconstruction-the only difference between said :sections or units b'eing4the pro-v visionof an intake or vfeed structure andan outlet member 5Iatv the opposite ends ofthe ap-v paratus; The apparatus further includesend bearing units 52 and 53 fortheopposite ends of.

the conveyer, which is designed to be driven by acountershaft drive unit54 connected withthe bearing unit 52.'v The present invention isconcerned primarily with the novel type :of oo nstruction for connecting'adjoining ends of -the aforesaid sections or matched units o'f theconfveyer and trough -or casing, and comprising; as-

semblies which include a hanger structure for journaling the connectionsbetween the screw conveyer sections, as illustrated in more detail TheAconveyer casing or trough is shown as of round or cylindrical-,design"(though the invenpractice has usuallybeen to Stagger the joints betweenthe 'trough sections with reference Yto the vcouplings between'conveyersection srbecause of no provision being 'made for accommodating to'nis'not conned to any particular cross-fseetional design), andpreferablythe trough units `aresplithorizontally,forming topand bottomrhousing sections 55, Ahavingoutwardly projecting flanges 56 which aresecuredtogether by suitable .bolts 51,"and preferably also enclosed bychannel strips 58, thus producing an Yeffective dust seal (see Figure9);

or combining the trough couplings and the -coni veyerhanger'sandbearings in a singl assembly or unit. One of the principalzobjectionsto such a practice is thefact that thehanger and bearing structure isnot afforded a sufliciently rigid The oppositeends of the conveyertrough or .casing sections 55 are also formed with outwardsupport bymerely anchoringit tothe sheet metal of the trough; that is, at somedistance from the? r jointsbetween the trough sectionsl which-'are ofcourse somewhat stronger on account -of :theref'l l'yprojecting anges 6Iadapted to be secured by means of--bolts Blvnot'onlyto the endibearingunits1 5 2 and 53, but also to theintermediate' hangerand vcouplingunitsin the manner shown b'otliin Figure l and also in Figures 3 andy5.

In the-formof construction 'illustrated in Fig# ures .1'. t0,8,f each.of thesev intermediate hanger and coupling 'units is made up ofanassembly comprising parts adapted to be separated and knocked down asillustrated in Figures 7 'and 8. The main parts of said assemblycomprise upper and lower semicircular sections 63 and 64, respectively`formed with flanges 65 for boltingto the trough iianges 6| (see'Figures 1 and 5), and connecting portions 66 for bolting together bymeans of bolts 61 (Figs. 5'and 6) The lower section 64 is`formed with abase or foot portion 68 for anchoring purposes (similar to the lower orbase portions of the units 52, 53 and 54), while the upper portion 63 ofthe coupling unit is formed witha radial web portion 1| provided with ahalf bearing section 12 designed to cooperate with a cap bearing section13 to completel the hanger-bearing structure for a conveyer shaftcoupling 14. These bearing elements 12 and 13 are maintained in matingor cooperative bearing relation by means of a U-bolt 15 fitting agroove16 in the cap bearing 13 and channels 11 at opposite sides of the webportion 1.|-the ends' of said bolt 15 projecting through openings 18 inthe top section 63 for receiving nuts 8|, all as clearly shown in Figure6. A lubrictingconnection 82 (extending through eachv web portion 1|)isalso provided for each of the .hanger bearing structures (see Figures3 and 6)'.

A conveyer section comprises itsribbon'or conveyer ight portion 83 andtubular shaft section 84, the ends of Awhich are adapted to be connectedtogether by a coupling 14 and secured thereto by bolts 85 at theopposite sidesof the hanger bearing structure-as illustrated in Figure3.

For carrying outv the purposes of the present invention, each of theunits or sections of the apparatus comprises a spiral conveyer section83 and a conveyer casing ortrough section 55 of the same length,v as aresult of which each hanger and coupling unit matches up the endsbetween the adjoining sections of the successive units of the apparatus,The primary advantage of this is in connection with replacements orrepairs, which are greatly facilitated, due to the method of assemblyshown and the standard relationship of the parts comprising the improvedstructural design. For example, if a hanger bearing has proved defectiveand requires repair or replacement, the necessary steps require simplythe removal of the bolts 62 and 61 which secure the hanger and couplingsections together and to the trough iianges 6 |,and also the nuts 8|, torelease the U-bolt 15 supporting the lower cap-bearing section 13. Thehanger and coupling assembly can then be manipulated for whateverchanges or replacements are necessary, 'and' thereafter reassembled intooriginal operative relation to the conveyer and trough sections. I

For the purpose of facilitating suchrepair or replacement operations,wie -Dropose providing the upper trough or casing section 55'.with aremovable handhole cover section 55 having itsv ends formed withsemicircular flanges 6|' 'for making connection notv only with thetrough coupling and hanger unit but also with the corresponding casingsection 55 by means of the additional securing bolts 62', as illustratedin Figures 1 and 22.

Again, an intermediate section cf spiral conveyer 83-84 may be removedforV repair or -rewhereupon the shaft couplings may be telescope'dintothe tubular conveyer shafts :84 far enough to clear the ends of thespiral conveyer' section and thus allow the latter to be removed.Thereafter the reassembly is of course carried out by simply reversingthe procedure.

Moreover, the conveyer trough sections 55 being-J split horizontally,such a type of zconstruc tion is adapted to facilitate easy andconvenient access to the interior of the apparatus whenever necessaryfor inspection or the carrying out of any repair` operations withreference to the screw conveyer mechanism itself-or the hanger bearings,conveyer couplings, etc... as may be re;

q uired. v

Various modied forms of -constructionof the apparatus, all designed foraccomplishing the sameessential results aimed at by the invention, areillustrated in the remaining views of the drawings.

Referring to Figures 10 and 11, the construc-` tion is of a typedesigned for operation at relatively higher speeds. Accordingly thehanger coupling unit is not split horizontally (as in Figures l to 8)but in an oblique direction as clearly shown in Figure l0. The lowerportion 9| of the hanger and coupling unit, having the base orsupporting part 68-, is also formed with an inwardly projectingweb orhanger arm 92 carrying one of the bearingelements, 93; for cooperatingwth a cap bearing element 94 to provide the hanger structure for theshaft coupling 14, said cap bearing having an extension 95 providedwithv screws 96 for securing the same to the web or arm 94 as shown. Thespecic split construction and method of supporting the bearing structureis such as to'offset the hanger or supporting structure to one side ofthe vertical plane through the bearing axis and thereby provide ampleclear- -or left hand design, so that the bearing supporting structure92-96 will be located at the proper side of the conveyer trough tocorresoond with the hand of the conveyer, and hence the direction of theiiow or movement o f the material.

.\The modification illustrated in Figures 12 and 13v omits the splitvfeature of the coupler construction above described and .utilizes acontinuous and approximately ring-shaped hanger and coupling plate v|00having the base or supporting portion |0| and also the series of boltopenings |02 whereby the plate |00 is adapted to be secured by bolts99-between the flanges 6| `of the trough sections as shown in Figure 13.

The hanger structure itself comprises a shelf projectifn |03 carriedbythe upper portion Vof the plate |80, to which shelf is secured, bybolts |05, the upper flanged portion of a bearing block |04, the lowerportion of which is formed with the upper half or section |06 of thebearing. /The lower cap bearing elementA |01 is removably secured in itsbearing relation to the upper sectionl |06 by'means of a U-bolt |08, theupper ends of which project through suitable openingsy 1n thetop-portion of said block |04 and the shelf |03 and are retained bymeans of nuts |09.

ing sections |43, which are heldin mating rela- 5 bracingl the Vupperlbearing' section and vsecured tions of the hanger and coupling unittogether.

n split type of hanger and coupling unit, t he ,up per section- |51 ofwhich is provided with il,` split `and inwardly projecting hangerstructure com- `bowed as indicated at |54 forembrcinsand of the troughsections les by means or bolts lss.'

I 'y unit is formedwith a radial inwardly projecting section |01 forembracingthe shaft coupling 4;'`

vof the unit, or in any desired intermediate posibolts |14. Thus the"hangermember providesa carrier or saddle for the upper and lowerbearing sections |5 and IIS, respectively, which are retained in theproper relation by means of a keeper-plate ||1 which is secured by boltslI I0 to. l0

the opposite sides of the hanger member. H3, as illustrated.4

In Figures 16 and 17-the hanger and coupling unit illustrated as' madewith a top remov-V abl'section |21 which is formed witha radial 15 orinwardly projecting hanger arm |22, and this arm is made integral with'the upper bearing section |23. The lower half of the bearing is in theform of a removable cap section |24 which is seVV |29. In the modicationshown in Figures 13 and;19 v the hanger and couplingV unit `is alsoprovided 'u' with an' upper removable. sectional, and. the` l hangerstructure comprises an approximately 25 V-shaped frame |42 forI carrying-the split bear.-

tionA4 by meansof a curved keeper bar 44 emf at' its ends by bolts |45tothe opposite arms of 3o the V-shaped frame |42. As clearly :shown inVFigure 18, vthe'opposite -ends'of the V-shaped frame-|42 are removablysecured in place by the y samebolts |40 which are used'tosecure the sec-35 Figures 20 and 21 show another horizontally prising duplicatesections |52`ysecure`d' together. r4K0. and to` th-section 15| by-meansof bolts. |53, as e clearly illustrated in Figure 20.' The inner freeends of the hanger sections-|52 are`.s uitab ly .l

securely Lretainin'g the split bearing-,sectionsV I ll 4'5 l, inoperative 'assembled relation-,fasqshowngg Ridges .|55' on the bearingsectionsalso ai`c l" inl maintainingthat relation.V Referring. nowA to4Figures- '23 illustratesv 'a conveyei' v apparatus, made' of 50 integralor one-piececylindricalvfhousing" ori trough sections |90,andf-fusing'hanger i coupling units of a design which is'illustrated inThese hanger and: coupling Aunits are of the 55 vertically split typecomprising sections! 0| havl ing top and bottom web portions |59gethenby-bolts |02, 'and'also formedl Vwith flanges |00 for coupling tolthe 'endf i1a`n'ges |0 4 as illustrated. Each of the -sections III ofeach hanger arm |00 terminating infahalf of the conveyer mechanism, asclearly shown inivf Figures 24 and 25. The bottoms of the sections |61alsol unite to' form a supporting base, or foot ff member |60. Y Vf Theform` just referredto as illustrated' inY Figure 25 shows the hangerstructurearranged -70 atone side of the hanger and coupling unitg.. but,the construction may as well be -designed to arrange said'hangerstructure at the opposite side Y tion, as illustrated at ISG'inHFigure26 .v I 75' 27and 28 is illustrated afabricated jhanger and couplingunit adapted for the type of construction just described, andvcomprisingsplit cylindrical-trough sections (i. e., a sheetmetal construction)having longitudinal flanges |69 for securing the sections together attop and bottom by bolts |1| and also the end flanges |69' for attachmentto adjoining'trou The hangerstructure comprises radial arms of suitablybuilt-up elements |13 projecting inward from.' corresponding sections|10 and from di ametrically oppose flanged margins thereof, and

terminating in half bearing sections |14 for em-V bracingsplit bearingbushings designed for accommodating the conveyer vshaft coupling.

yThe 'anged sections |10 are of sufllcient extent for lending thenecessary strength and rigidity to Y the hangerunit, as representedinFigure 27. Inv

cured by bolts to the upper bearing section '20- the constructionillustrated, the base or foot portionsli' are shown as formed byextending the flanges |64 on the adjacent ends of the trough sections.

Referring now to own in greater detail in Figures Here the flanges `byproviding pockets |05 for seating the opposite -endsofa crossb'ar |86forming a part of the j hanger structurefthe ends of said crossbarhavinghole's |01 for'bolting thesame in place by VVmeans of a pair ofbolts |82. The hanger struc- :ture proper comprises a' vsubstantiallytriangular frame |00, the bottom of which cradles the split bearingelements |89-v for the conveyershaft cou- `Vpling 14 and is providedwith a removable retaining yoke |90 secured'to the sides of the frame|00 by bolts 19|. The horizontal top portion of .said frame'.` |00isalso provided with bolt openings-|92 and nuts |92 welded in place forwing bolts v;|'90"whichl secure the hanger structure to 94 of theU-shaped con- Vwhich' are connected with the outer edges of the coverplate |94 by bolts |90-a dust seal structure..being'formed bythe use oflchannel strips I 90 'en'ibracing-said flanges and outer edges of thecover' |94, and `a felt'strip |90 being'interposed- ('in someconditions) between said flanges andthecover, as illustrated in Figures30 and'35. At eachv of the joints betweenA trough sectionsl -s'aidchannelpieceslare connected by a cross cover stril i90 for overlying thehanger'structure, said cover-'strip |90' .being secured in place bymeans 0f thebolts |03 (see Figure'35) i.

y 33. and 34'isvillustrated a similar but y form of the same ,type ofconstruction I clamped between the meeting ends of adjacent trough'sections. This is accomplished vby'. fori ning the triangular hangerframe |00,` notasapart of a crossbar |00 as in Figure 32,' but as a part'of or rigid with a plate member V200 following the cross-sectionalcontour of the troughrand providingsaid member with bolt holes 20| yforadapting it to be clamped in place Figures 29 to 35, Figure 29illustrates ja conveyer apparatus comprising a I series, of, U-shapedtrough sections and mak- `ing use of 'combination hanger and coupling Ystructures -sh and 31. f y

` |8| at the ends of the trough sectionsare bolted directly together, asindicated between the end flanges ISI of the-trough sections I80, asclearly illustrated in Figure 33.' The remaining features of this typeof the construc' tion are identical with that already described andillustrated in Figures 30 and 31. J y

In such forms of construction it is important to point out that theflanges on the ends `of the trough sections serve as master fianges fornotA only supporting the conveyer trough but also insuring positive andaccurate alinement of the bearings as well as a firm support therefor,to

eliminate vibration or any weaving tendency of tween the sections of theconveyer trough or housing, thereby resulting in a coupling and hangerconstruction which is of a very much stronger type than in prior typesnot adhering to such a principle of combining all these structuralfeatures in a single unit. In addition to greatly strengthening thestructure, there also results the immense advantage as r gardsvincreasing the simplicity and speed of epair operations, which isbrought about by a principle or standard of construction in which, inmost of the illustrated types herein, the combined length of theconveyer section and one of its hanger bearings is made to match asection of the conveyer trough and its coupling member. It is believedthat such an important feature or stand'- ard of construction is novelin spiral or screw conveyer apparatus comprising multiple sections whichnecessitate coupling andhanger structures at several spaced pointsthroughout the length of the apparatus, and that the improved resultsnowing from such a nov'el construction are of a correspondinglyoutstanding character. Not the least important of such improved resultsor advantages of the invention is the insuring of the accurate andcorrect alinement of ythe parts at the joints, as well as the provisionfor eifective resistance of torque in several of the designs or types ofconstruction shown,` all of which is of course of vital importance foreliminating power losses, keeping down premature wear, and hencereducing the frequency of maintenance operations. 1 As is evident fromthe foregoing, these improvements have been adapted for the varioustypes of trough construction, such as already mentioned, includingcylindrical (either of the split or non-split type) and the U-shapedtype of conveyer trough. While the invention is not to be confined toclosed-trough construction, the drawings have been made with a view tothe importance of the invention' with reference to the cylindrical formof trough, because of its directly lending itself to the use of water orsteam jacketing means, for either heating or cooling the material intransit, for it is apparent that a suitable jacket structure may readilybe constructed and applied as an envelope enclosing the trough. insuitably spaced relation thereto, together with connections for theinlet and other plant operations.

A special advantage ofthejround' or cylindri- I local trough typeo'fconveyer is the wear-com;

pensating feature of such trou/gh design, which enables the same to beturned for the purpose of replacing the worn bottom sections of .thetrough withthe upper trough sections which of course are subject torelatively little wear-thus practically doubling the useful life of eachtrough section or unit of the conveyer.

While we have illustrated and described various forms and arrangementsof coupling and hanger units adapted to'carry out the several importantpurposes of our invention, it is to be C understood that these do notrepresent all the diierent arrangements or modifications which may beadopted for incorporating the essential features constituting theimprovements' which we regard as our invention, but `that various othermodifications or adaptations may be followed which neverthelessappropriate the essential feature and principle of our improvements. Wetherefore desire to be understood'as expressly reserving the right tomake such changes or modifications' as may be deemed to fairly fallwithin the spirit and scope of our invention as defined by the appendedclaims.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Screw conveyer apparatus comprising multiple trough sections, a screwpropelling section for each trough section, and separate and independentassembly units providinga coupling structure for adjoining ends of thetrough sections and also bearing means for adjoining ends of the screwpropelling sections, said units being removable and replaceable bydirect transverse movement into and out of the space between adjoiningends of the trough sections vand the length of each trough section andcoupling structure matching the length of the corresponding screwpropelling section and its .bearing means.

2. In screw conveyer apparatus, the combination of multiple conveyertrough sections, screw propelling sections, and coupling units removablyconnecting the adjoining ends of the trough sections and having bearingmeans for adjoining ends of said screw propellingsections, said couplingunits being removable and replaceable by direct transverse movement intoand out of the space between adjoining ends of said trough sections.

3. In screw conveyer apparatus, `the combination of multiple conveyertrough* sections, screw propelling section/s, havingtelescoping shaftcouplings between adjoining sections thereof, and coupling meansremovably connecting the yadjoining ends of the trough sections andprovided with bearings for said shaft couplings between the screwpropelling sections.

4. Screw conveyer apparatus comprising a sectional conveyer trough, ascrew propelling section for each section of the trough, and removablecoupling means for adjoining ends of the several trough sections andhaving split bearing means for the corresponding joints between thescrew propelling sections, said coupling means being removable andreplaceable by direct trans- -verse movement into and out of tIiespacebetweenadjoiningends of the trough sections.n

5. Screw conveyer.apparatuscomprisinga'sectional conveyer trough, ascrew propellingsection 'foreach troughsection', and split couplingunitsremovably connectingv adj oining ends of theseveral trough sections andproviding bearing means for the correspondingjoints between the s crew.

propelling sections.

6. In screw conveyer apparatus, thecombinl non v pelling section foreachofthe trough sections, anda split coupler, ends of s aidjtrough ofconveyer trough, sections; a] screw prounit 'connecting adjoiningsectionsand having a split bearing'ior adjoining' ends of correspondingscrew propelling sections.'v

' 7. Screw.conveyer apparatus -comprising conveyer trough' sections. ascrew'propelling section Vfor each of said trough sections, andlsupporting means comprising abase portion nd coupling ofthe'troughsections, and a hanger 'structure supported by said coupling member andprovided with bearing means for adjoining ends oithe Ainterior conveyermechanism.'

13. A combination coupling and hanger con- V'struction for sectionalconveyer apparatus comprisingv a' splitor 'sectional coupling memberhavingr means of attachment to' adjoining ends of conveyertroughsections, and a hanger structure comprising bearing elements carried byrespective portions of the coupling member and cooperating to'journalthe coupled ends ofthe interior conveyer mechanism.

14. A combination coupling and hanger construction for sectionalconveyer apparatus, comprising a" coupling member `having iianges forconnection to the adjoining ends of conveyer ,trough sections andremovable and replaceablev by direct transverse movement into and out ofmeans removably connecting the djoining'ends movable -and replaceableV,by direct transverse *movement into and'out of thelspace betweenad-Joining endsl of the trough sections.

'8. Screw conveyer apparatus comprising alined conveyer trough sections,a screwpropelling section for each of said trough sections, and aIotsaid trough sections, together with bearing means for theadjoiningends of said screw pro` pelling sections, said supportingAmeans being resplit c oupler unit connecting theadjoining ends of saidtrough sections, Aone section of said coupler 'unit having a supportingbase portion and the`other section of said -unit having bearing meansfor adjoining ends of*l said'screw propelling sections.

9. Screw conveyer tional conveyer trough made up yof separableA splitunits, a screw propelling section for cachot said trough units, a splitcoupling unit removably connectingl adjoining ends of' said troughunits, -andbearing means'carr'ied by one portion of Vthe coupling unitfor theadjoining'gends of'said screw propellingsections.

10. Screw conveyer apparatus ycomprising a longitudinal series ofconveyer trough units 'made up of split casings separably connected andhaving ascrew propelling section'enclosed by each of said units,correspondingly split coupling units removablyconnecting theadjoiningends of saidv trough units, and split bearing means carried bysaid coupling units forothe adjoining ends of the screw propellingsections.

the space between adjoining ends of the trough sections, and a hangerstructure supported by said coupling member and provided with bearv-ingmeans f or journaling the coupled ends o Ythe interior conveyermechanism.

15 A combination coupling andhanger construction for sectional conveyerapparatus, com. prising a coupling member having means of attachment toadjoining ends of conveyer trough sections andremovable and replaceableby direct,

transverse movement into and out of the space 'between'ad'joining endsoi the trough sections, and an interior hanger structure carried by saidcoupling member and provided with bearing means for'journaling the`coupled'ends of the apparatus comprising asecinteriorconveyer'mec'hanismsaid hanger structure being offset'from the centralvertical plane of the conveyer for streamlining the ilow of materialtherethrough.4

V16'.v Screw conveyer apparatuscomprising mul tiple and separableassemblies or units of' conveyer trough sections enclosing sectionalscrew propelling mechanism, and -separate and inde- ,pendentiv assemblyunits providing trough coupling and hanger bearing structures for theadjoining' ends of 'the .sections of said conveyer trough and screwpropelling mechanism respectively', said independent units havingtransverse projecting portions, and the adjoining ends offormedwithpockets for receiving andseating o said projecting portions.

17. Screw conveyer apparatus comprising mul'-A tiple and fseparableassemblies or units of con- "11. Screw conveyer apparatus -comprising "alongitudinaliseries 'of split conveyer trough units,

ascrew propellingsection enclosedl by each of said trough units;correspondingly split coupling units removably connecting -the ends ofsaid trough units, and-split bearing structures carried i 'by therespective portions of said coupling units 4for the `adjoining endsofsaid Ascrew propelling sections'. Y Y 12. A combination coupling andhanger 'construction for sectional screw conveyer apparatus comprising acoupling" member having means 4oi? attachment to adjoining 'ends ofconveyer trough sections, said coupling member being removable'l andreplaceable by direct transverse movement f into andout ofthe spacebetween adjoining ends trough sections.

veyer trough sections formed with transverseA flanges andv enclosingvcorrespondingly matching sections of screw propelling mechanism,separate and .independent assembly units 'providing trough coupling andhanger bearing structures for corresponding adjoining ends'of thesections iofsaid conveyer trough and vscrew propelling mechanismrespectively, said independent assembly units having connecting portionscoex- `tensive with thenanges of said trough sections, i

said trough units having connecting portions

